The Experience

On the other side of the fence hens potter, ducks waddle and sheep graze. Head for the garden with a pint of Helmsley Honey and lap up the countryside. If the setting is peaceful, the building is special: a Gothic Revival chapel restored to full glory. Spangles of light filter through windows of stained glass, Nordic insulation keeps you cosy, and the curved ceiling soars above.

You sleep in a large bed by the altar enclosed by the original screen, and snuggle up on sofas by the wood-burner. A beautiful new wing houses a sunny kitchen where a welcome basket awaits, while the sofa-bedded sunroom (sleeping two) opens to a garden for breakfast on warm days.

St Aidan’s lies at the gateway to the heather-covered North York Moors, and the coast (Staithes, Whitby, Robin Hood’s Bay) isn’t much further – perfect yomping ground for you and your dog. Helmsley, a historic market town, is a walk through the woods. The Star, a revered pub, is a ten-minute drive.

Read moreDown arrowUp arrow

We think you'll love

The combination of beautiful church conversion and light-filled extension

The peaceful location on the edge of the North Yorks Moors

The romance of sleeping in a chancel enhanced with fairy lights and stained glass windows

Reviews

We have visited St Aidan Church in Autumn. The Church was fabulous to stay in with a well equiped kitchen a lovely room with a woodburner. To go asleepe during a hurricane in the evening and awake in the morning with a bit of light scattering through the small tall church windows was a special happening.
We like the surrounding area and quiet walks to beautiful little villages. This spot is fabulous. We will come back for another relaxing week or weekend

Read moreDown arrowUp arrow

Read moreDown arrow

Joost, NederweertOct 2017

Delightful converted church with cosy dining and living areas, but with modern kitchen and bathrooms.

Read moreDown arrowUp arrow

Read moreDown arrow

Maxwell, FarnhamSep 2017

We absolutely loved our stay here. St Aidans was full of character and very cosy. We walked into Helmsley through the wooded valley - an extremely pleasant, quiet walk which we thoroughly enjoyed but not as much as our dog, who thought she was in heaven. We visited the Cinnamon Twist bakery and the Helmsley brewery and we're impressed with both. St Aidans was amazingly relaxing and I am sure we'll be back since it was also great value for money. Definitely recommend.

The neighbourhood

The church dominates the hamlet of Carlton, 1.5 miles from Helmsley with shops, pubs and a 10th-century castle. The North Yorks landscape is one of hamlets, churches and walks: follow the Esk valley from Castleton to Lealholm, or the coastal path from Sandsend to Staithes. Castle Howard and Fountains Abbey are close, as are ancient Thirsk and the steam trains at Pickering.

Local points of interest from Vanessa Bridge

Helmsley is known for its galleries, arts centre, boutique shops, luxury hotels, and coffee shops.

The ruins of Helmsley Castle are impressive and the Walled Garden is a hidden treasure, not to mention the tea room and plant shop. Nearby is start of a walk to beautiful, ruined Rievaulx Abbey.

A few steps up the road from St Aidan's there is a footpath leading off to Helmsley through a wooded valley. Keep on the road and you head up to Bransdale - drystone walls, green fields, woods, stone cottages, becks, hills and endless, endless skies.

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust sites nearby - Garbutt Wood borders magical Lake Gormire, Ashberry Nature Reserve is one of the finest ancient woodands in Yorkshire and Ellerburn Bank is a grassland that has never been farmed, idyllic in early summer.

The Temple Moore Trail lists other buildings in the North York Moors by the architect of St Aidan's - Temple Lushington Moore.

The Dark Skies festival happens every year in nearby Danby, and you can stargaze from the garden at St Aidan's every dark clear night.

Read moreDown arrowUp arrow

Introducing

Vanessa Bridge

Owners Vanessa and Harriet have lovingly restored the church to its present state, and, most recently, the garden’s dry stone wall. A booklet in the church explains the history. The housekeeper lives close by and is on hand in case of any problems.